Pilonidal Cyst
|
Treatment

How is a pilonidal cyst treated?

If you have an infected pilonidal cyst, your doctor will numb the area where the cyst is located. He or she will drain any pus and remove hairs or any other fragments in the cyst. Your doctor will then loosely pack the abscess with gauze to help it heal from the inside. You may need to have the gauze changed several times until the cyst heals. Most people who have pilonidal cysts do not need any other treatment.

If you have a pilonidal cyst that gets infected often, you may need surgery. Your doctor will make an incision to remove any pus, hair and skin fragments from the abscess. The doctor may choose to leave your wound open and pack it with gauze, or he or she may choose to stitch the wound closed. If your doctor tells you need surgery for your pilonidal cyst, talk to him or her about the advantages and disadvantages of leaving the wound open or closed.